12-hour bandh passes off peacefully

SHILLONG: The 12-hour dawn to dusk bandh called by 13 pro-ILP pressure groups on Tuesday passed off peacefully without any reports of untoward incidents in the whole Khasi and Jaintia Hills.

The dawn-to-dusk bandh saw shops and business establishment remaining closed during the bandh even as the roads wore a deserted look.

All banks remained closed and attendance in government offices was thin. Official sources informed that the attendance in the Government offices is East Khasi Hills (20 percent), Ri Bhoi (5 percent), West Jaintia Hills (52 percent), West Khasi Hills (15 percent), East Khasi Jaintia Hills (40 percent) and South West Khasi Hills (42 percent).

According to officials, the attendance in the Main Secretariat was recorded at 15 percent.

When contacted, East Khasi Hills SP M Kharkrang said that there was no incident reported during the hours of the bandh.

Meanwhile, the pro-ILP pressure groups have informed that they would be holding an office picketing on December 13.

Our Jowai Correspondent adds

In Jaintia hills both East and West Jaintia Hills District, the 12-hour bandh sponsored by Pro ILP group passed off peacefully.

The bandh affected normal life of the people particularly business establishment and students.

Parents were worried as most of the school fixed to declare results of the final examination on Tuesday in Jowai and Shillong but the same was postponed by school authorities.

Central government offices and financial institution were closed on the day whereas State government offices were seen open with low percentage attendance.

Official records indicated 52 percent attendance in West Jaintia Hills and 40 percent in East Jaintia Hills.

Our Nongpoh Correspondent adds

The 12-hour-bandh called by pro ILP NGOs passed off peacefully but the closure affected whole district, keeping passenger vehicles and trucks off the road throughout the district including the National Highway-40, causing inconvenience to commuters.

Only a few vehicles, mostly belonging to security forces could be seen plying on the road.

Furthermore, the attendance of government offices both central and state government was negligible. All shops and restaurants in the whole of district remain closed during the bandh

There were no reported incidents of arson or stone pelting in the district.